Characters:
* The Robinson family: This includes Father (a Swiss pastor), Mother, Fritz (the eldest son), Ernest (the second son), Jack (the youngest son), and Franz (the family dog).
* The ship's crew: The Robinsons are fleeing Europe during the Napoleonic Wars, traveling on a ship with a crew of sailors.
Setting:
* The year is 1812. The family is escaping Europe and setting sail for Australia.
* The ship: The family is on a ship bound for Australia, but their journey takes an unexpected turn when they are caught in a violent storm.
Initial Conflict:
* The shipwreck: The ship is wrecked during a storm, leaving the Robinson family stranded on a deserted island. This is the catalyst that launches the story and sets the family on their journey of survival and adaptation to their new environment.
Other key details in the exposition:
* The family's resources: The family is fortunate to salvage some supplies from the wreckage, including tools, weapons, and seeds. This provides them with a crucial starting point for building a new life on the island.
* The family's skills: The Robinsons are a resourceful and determined family. The father is a skilled craftsman, while the mother is a resourceful homemaker. The sons are strong and willing to work hard. These skills will be essential for their survival on the island.
The exposition establishes the central premise of the story: a family's struggle to adapt to a challenging environment and create a new life for themselves.